I am a new atheist and I was wondering how you deal with telling your family you are an atheist? Any suggestions?
Well, I told my religious family I was an atheist because i was coming out as being gay. I figured if they could play the "god card" they would not have much to work with as far as arguments went.
They were much more upset about my being gay, than my being an atheist.
Thank you all for the responses. I am with the let it lie for now idea. I only have one real bible thumper in the family that would be a problem. I think I will continue on with not bringing it up unless questioned.
It sort of happened naturally for me. I had been "in the closet" with my non belief for a few years and my dad ended up mentioning something about being a "lukewarm Christian" so I finally said something about how I didn't believe anymore and it made it easier to go public with it. I had taken other steps before that like removing my religious views from Facebook and stopped going to church. It's tough depending on how your family reacts. I was lucky and my parents accepted my choice and didn't outcast me like I was worried they would.
Sometimes one's past in religion conditions you to feel obligated to share, shall we say, too much. TMI (Too Much Information) is something that I had to train out of myself after my deconversion.
Your private beliefs are no one else's business and you don't owe anyone an explanation.
"I am not interested in discussing religion" is more than enough.
You'll find that the occasions when believers are genuinely interested in your actual reasons for changing your thinking, and willing to both listen and credit your explanations as valid or at least understandable and within your rights, are scarce as hen's teeth. For the most part, don't waste your breath.
No need to bring it up unless they do.
Then just casually mention that you "don't believe that way anymore," and immediately change the subject. If they start in on you, repeat the sentence, while looking distracted and bored, then immediately wander out of the room.
Do this every time they bring up religion, and it will soon train them to leave you alone.
But if someone seems genuinely curious, then show them this video:
The REAL Truth About Religion And Its Origins
Enjoyed watching the video. I have family members who are happy, productive, useful citizens who are also Christian believers. I couldn't imagine them willingly submitting themselves to watching a video that destroys their most cherished beliefs. But if they ever began to question their beliefs, I would definitely present this to them.